MLO 5: CULTURAL INTERNALIZATION AND LANGUAGE IMMERSION Outcomes:
5.1. Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Japanese cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed a personal understanding and new perspectives of the community. |
Study Abroad NarrativeJAPN: 420 Maximizing Study Abroad
Osaka Gakuin University: 1 year study abroad |
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Studying abroad at Osaka Gakuin University was the best experience I have had in my Japanese Language learning journey. Being completely immersed in the culture and environment, I was able to further develop an appreciation for Japan and learn how to live within the society. This allowed me to develop my speaking ability as every day for normal tasks I had to use Japanese. By volunteering, attending club and circle events, and constantly meeting new friends I was able to maximize my study abroad experience.
JAPN-420, Maximizing Study Abroad, this course was unique as it mixes in students who are planning to study abroad, those who had returned from studying abroad, and also exchange students. This was extremely helpful as it allowed me to talk with the upper-class men about their experience and learn valuable tips before I set out for Japan.
Naturally, my biggest worry was being able to communicate effectively once I was in Japan. During my time before going, I was enrolled in Japanese courses at CSUMB, studying independently, and speaking in Japanese as much as I could with my Japanese friends which allowed me which helped build my confidence before going to Japan.
Once arriving in Japan, we were paired with a buddy who would help us out with getting started in our life in Japan. I was extremely grateful for this as my buddy was a friend who had studied at CSUMB so he understood all the emotions and feelings I was going through being in a new country. This further helped tremendously as he almost completely refused to speak to me in English unless he had to as he wanted me to level up my Japanese as fast as possible which really pushed me to do my best. Another advantage of having a buddy is that he was able to introduce me to many new friends, most of which I still keep in close contact with to this day.
Inside the classroom at OGU was some of the most intense courses I have ever taken. We were going through nearly one chapter of material per class, making it extremely fast paced and required three to four hours of studying and doing homework each day. Along with this our instructor expected us to immediately be able to produced sentences based on the grammar we just learned and make conversation with other students. This fast paced learning was not something I was used to however after a few weeks I was able to adjust and began studying ahead of the class in order to be properly prepared. One of my favorite parts of the program was that there were students from 13 different countries studying at OGU, many of which whose first language was not English. The exposed me to many different cultures and ways of thinking that I would have never experienced anywhere else.
By the end of the study abroad program I had completely gotten used to living in Japan and accepting that it was everyday life. My speaking, understanding, listening, reading and writing. I was able to return items to the store, file a police report, and completely understand directions given to me when I was lost. Being completely immersed in the language and culture as the best way to improve as I was able to immediately apply what I learned outside the classroom. Living in Japan is definitely something I want to do soon after I graduate.
JAPN-420, Maximizing Study Abroad, this course was unique as it mixes in students who are planning to study abroad, those who had returned from studying abroad, and also exchange students. This was extremely helpful as it allowed me to talk with the upper-class men about their experience and learn valuable tips before I set out for Japan.
Naturally, my biggest worry was being able to communicate effectively once I was in Japan. During my time before going, I was enrolled in Japanese courses at CSUMB, studying independently, and speaking in Japanese as much as I could with my Japanese friends which allowed me which helped build my confidence before going to Japan.
Once arriving in Japan, we were paired with a buddy who would help us out with getting started in our life in Japan. I was extremely grateful for this as my buddy was a friend who had studied at CSUMB so he understood all the emotions and feelings I was going through being in a new country. This further helped tremendously as he almost completely refused to speak to me in English unless he had to as he wanted me to level up my Japanese as fast as possible which really pushed me to do my best. Another advantage of having a buddy is that he was able to introduce me to many new friends, most of which I still keep in close contact with to this day.
Inside the classroom at OGU was some of the most intense courses I have ever taken. We were going through nearly one chapter of material per class, making it extremely fast paced and required three to four hours of studying and doing homework each day. Along with this our instructor expected us to immediately be able to produced sentences based on the grammar we just learned and make conversation with other students. This fast paced learning was not something I was used to however after a few weeks I was able to adjust and began studying ahead of the class in order to be properly prepared. One of my favorite parts of the program was that there were students from 13 different countries studying at OGU, many of which whose first language was not English. The exposed me to many different cultures and ways of thinking that I would have never experienced anywhere else.
By the end of the study abroad program I had completely gotten used to living in Japan and accepting that it was everyday life. My speaking, understanding, listening, reading and writing. I was able to return items to the store, file a police report, and completely understand directions given to me when I was lost. Being completely immersed in the language and culture as the best way to improve as I was able to immediately apply what I learned outside the classroom. Living in Japan is definitely something I want to do soon after I graduate.
*For evidence of my experience please check out my Flickr page!